Projection device



Sept. 10 1.940. P. u. LANNE RD PROJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 735w M AMY/mm ORNEYS,

SepLlO, 1940. P. u. LANNERD 2,214,463

PROJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 47 97 [04 Plq. L.

g INVENTOR Pew a [fir/Mm.

P 1 P. u. LANNERD PROJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 SheetsSheet 4 P. U. LANNERD PROJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1938 5 h mm ww mm MM I] mm L! m a V s s W p a N m m% u R g g i f EN mm H m 2\ t m, 8 & 3 \v \w T v N* m N Sept. 10, 1940.

Sept, 10, 1940.

P. u. LANNERD PRQJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26

, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 5 2 0.: F N 6% N w m J w 194% P. u. LANNERD 2,214,458

PROJECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1938 SSheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. J Fez/4 1/. L/iW/YDFD. BY

' A ORNEYS- Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROJECTION DEVICE Application September 26, 1938, Serial No. 231,702

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a projection device for film records carrying either visual images or sound tracks or both.

One object of the invention is to provide apparatus by means of which a plurality of individual films each contained in an individual magazine may be brought either selectively or in a predetermined sequence into position for reproducing the material recorded thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a projecting machine by means of which a plurality of films may be selectively or successively shown with a minimum of time consumed between the showing of films. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic projector suitable for operation by those not skilled in the care and operation of present day projectors.

To accomplish these and other objects, the invention provides a plurality of individual film magazines each provided with film moving mechanism' and with suitable light apertures past couple the moving parts of the magazine to a source of power for running the film. With the endless type of film herein shown, rewinding is unnecessary, a given film being instantly ready for a second showing upon completion of a first showing.

The invention also provides means for manipulating the magazines to bring the same to operative position either successively or by preselection.

Other features of the invention reside in apparatus provided for the automatic control of the magazine manipulating mechanism.

Other objects and features of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. l is' an elevational view of a projecting machine embodying the invention and mounted in a suitable cabinet, the cabinet being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the projecting and magazine manipulating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 55, is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of the film magazines with the cover thereof removed and with parts in section. Fig. 6 is an end view of the magazine with parts shown in section. Fig. '7 is a plan view of certain mechanism used for controlling the magazine manipulating and projecting operation. Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a diagram of one form of wiring connections and associated switch operating parts which may be used in carrying out the invention. Fig. 10 is a side view of a preselector unit. Fig. 11 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a form of cam operated switch which may be used for controlling certain electrical operations. Fig. 13 is a detailed view in plan and on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. '7.

. In the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings by way of illustration, there is provided a cabinet 20 within which there is located a shelf 2| supporting a base plate 22 in turn carrying a projector housing 23, a casing 24 which houses the magazine manipulating mechanism, and a motor 25 for driving the same.

The casing 24 carries an optical system 26 which projects the visual images from the moving picture film first onto a mirror 21 mounted on the front wall of the cabinet, then to a mirror 28 mounted on the rear wall of the cabinet and then to a translucent screen 29 mounted in a suitable opening in the front of the cabinet. The screen is of course visible to an observer standing at the front of the cabinet. Within the cabinet there is also provided an amplifier 30 and a speaker 31. A coin receiving device 32 of any well known form is provided when coin control is desired. A selector unit 33 for preselecting the film records to be shown is mounted on the front of the cabinet accessible to an operator.

Magazines Each of the magazines 34 preferably used with the invention consists of a substantially rectangular casing 35 having a top plate 36 and abottom plate 31 secured thereto, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 6. A cover 38 is provided to close the magazine and may be suitably secured in place. The

casing is divided by partitions 39 and 40 into three compartments 4|, 42 and 43. The partition 39 consists of a single plate suitably secured in place while the partition 40 consists of a fixed outer plate 44 secured to plate 29 by screws 45, a fixed central plate 46 secured to a bushing 4'! in turn mounted on the plate 39, and an annular plate 48 removably secured to plate 46 by latches '49 and screws 50.

Sprocket shafts 5| and 52 are suitably journaled on plates 39 and 44, and a sprocket shaft 53 is journaled in the bushing 41. Within the com partment 4| each of said shafts carries a suitable sprocket about which there is trained a sprocket chain 54. The shaft 52 extends outside of the casing and carries a gear 55 which may be driven by a suitable gear meshing therewith to rotate the three sprocket shafts 5|, 52 and 53. Within the compartment 43 the shafts 5|, 52 and 53 have secured thereto film driving sprockets 56, 51 and 58'respectively. Within the compartment 42 there is freely mounted on the bushing 41 a film receiver 59 in the form of a hollow core, generally frusto-conical in shape and having its sides provided with ridges or corrugations 60.

One side of the casing 35 is provided with an aperture or light gate 6| for the optical path for reproduction of the visual images on the film and an aperture or light gate 62 for the light path used for the sound reproducing system. An aperture 63 is provided for the operation of mechanism imparting intermittent movement to the film. A spring pressed pressure plate 64 serves to guide a film past the apertures 6| and 63 and a similar plate 65 guides said film past aperture 62. Apertures 66 and 61 are provided in the opposite side of the casing 35 directly opposite apertures 6| and 62 respectively.

In threading a magazine, the plate 48 is first removed by turning the latches 49. An endless roll of film 68, in which the portions leaving the inner and outer edges of the roll are joined to form a loop, is then placed over the receiver 59 and over a separating roller 69 which is rotatably mounted on the plate 39. The innermost turn of the roll is passed between the receiver 59 and the roller 69 as shown at I0, sufiicient film is drawn from the inner and outer turns for thread- 9 P p a the plate 48 is then replaced and locked in position by the latches 49 with the film issuing from the inner edge of the roll 68 P s ng through an opening therein and the portion issuing from the outer edge passing through a slot 12 in the plate 44. The loop of film so formed is threaded firstabcut a roller 13 rotatably mounted on a downwardly bent car 14 on the plate 48 and thence about the drive sprocket 56. The film is held in contact with the drive sprocket by rollers I5 and I6. The pressure plate 64 is then pressed back and the film inserted in the raceway between said plate and the wall of casing 35, an untensioned loop 11 being formed between said sprocket and raceway. The film is then led about sprocket 58 and is held in contact with the same by rollers 18 and I9. Next the film is placed in the raceway between pressure plate 65 and the wall of the casing, untensioned loops and 8| being provided as shown in Fig. 5. The film is then trai'ned about a roller 82 and then about sprocket 51 and is held in contact therewith by rollers 83 and 84. The remaining portion of the film is passed over roller 85, which is mounted on an ear 86 inwardly bent from the plate 44 at the proper angle to guide the film through the slot '12 back into compartment 42 where it is led to the outer edge of the roll 68 by rollers 81 and 88. The cover 38 is then secured in place and they magazine is ready for use.

.It' will be apparent that the entire threading operation may be accomplished without breaking and splicing the film and that when once threaded all of'the necessary movements may be imparted to the film by meshing the gear 55 with a suitable power driven gear. The resulting movement of the drive sprockets 56, 51 and 58 continuously draws the film from the inner edge of the roll 68, moves the same past the several apertures and rewinds it on the outer edge of the roll. The provision of the separating roller 69 and the frusto-conical shape of the receiver 59. facilitate the removal of the inner turn of film from the roll. A guard member 89 bridging the opening 68 in plate 48 prevents the film at that point from entering the light path between apertures 66 and 6|. If desired, the light paths may be defined by channel shaped members 90 and 9| secured to the inner surface of the cover 38 and serving to prevent the entrance of stray light rays to the light paths.

Magazine carriage The several magazines 34 are mounted in a carriage, best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 and consisting of a pair of horizontally arranged rods 92 and 93 having secured thereto a pair of magazine engaging bars 94 and 95 secured together by vertical members 96 to form a rigid framework. The bars 92 and 93 are slidably supported in lugs 91 formed on the housing 24. The bar 95 carries a plurality of dowels 98 properly positioned to enter suitable recesses formed in the bottom plates 31 of the magazines. The bar 94 carries a plurality of vertically slidable pins 99 adapted to enter similar recesses in the top plates 36 of the magazines. Two of the dowels 98 and two of the pins 99 are preferably supplied for each magazine. A leaf spring I00 is secured to the bar 94 at the position for each magazine by means of a screw MI and each of said springs presses downwardly on a shoulder formed on the corresponding pins 99. Each pair of pins 99 is provided with a lever I02 fulcrumed on the top of the bar 94 and having arms I03 engaging the heads of the pins 99. By this means, the pins may be withdrawnv from engagement with the magazine by pressing downwardly on the outer end I04 of the lever 202. The magazine may then be lifted slightly to clear the dowels 98 and may be easily withdrawn. A similar operation is per formed when a new magazine is to be put in place. Each magazine is thus accurately positioned on the carriage and may be easily removed and replaced.

The upper surface of the rod 93 is provided with rack teeth I05 which mesh with a pinion06 (Fig. 4) mounted on a stub shaft ,I0I' extending within the casing 24. The stub shaft I 01 is rotated by means to be hereinafter described and this rotation moves the magazine carriage to bring any desired magazine into operative position with respect to the projector housing 231 When so positioned, the beam' of light from a projector lamp I08 within the housing 23 is pro- ,iected through a suitablelense system I09 .in said housing and thence through the aperture 66 in the magazine, through the film at the aperture GI and through suitable lenses contained in the optical system 26 to the mirrors 21 and 28'and the screen 29. At'the same time, light from an ekciter lamp I I0 within the housing 23 is projected through a lens II I, through the aperture 6'! in the magazine, through a lens I I2 contained in the magazine and thence through the film at the aperture 62 to a photo-electric cell ||3 (Fig. 2). The photo-electric cell is mounted on a bracket 4 within the'housi'ng 24 and is shown in Fig. 2 75 sci but is removed from Fig. 3 to show other parts in detail.

Power supply for magazine movements and for projector operation Power for operating the magazine carriage to place the magazine in operative position and for operating the projection mechanism is supplied from the motor 25 which drives a shaft I I5 journaled on suitable bearings within the housing 24. The shaft I I 5 has formed therein a worm thread II6 meshing with a worm gear II1 mounted on a main shaft II8 which is journaled in bearing members I I9 and I20 within the housing 24. The main shaft II8 has splined thereto at one end a clutch collar I24 having clutch faces adapted to mesh with similar faces formed on beveled gears I22 and I 23. The beveled gear I23 is mounted for free rotation on the shaft H8. The beveled gear I22 is secured to a stub shaft I26 journaled in a bearing member I2I. The gears I22 and I23 both mesh with a beveled gear I25 mounted on the stub shaft I01 (Fig. 4) The shaft I I8 is continuously rotated by the motor 25 in the clockwise direction, referring to Fig. 4. Thus, when the clutch collar I24 is moved to the right in Fig. 2 to engage the gear I23 the magazine carriage is moved to the right. When the clutch collar I24 is moved to the left to engage the gear I22, the magazine carriage is moved to the left.

The main shaft II8 has freely mounted thereon a pair of gears I21 and I28 each of which is provided with a hub having a clutch face formed thereon. A spacing collar I29 is secured to the shaft II8 to confine gear I21 between said collar and the bearing member H9 and to confine the gear I28 between said collar and a collar I30 which is likewise secured to the shaft I I8. Longitudinal movement of said gears is thus prevented.

A clutch sleeve I3I is splined to the collar I29 and has clutch faces adapted to engage those on the hubs'of the gears I21 and I28. When moved to the right in Fig. 2, the clutch sleeve I 3| couples the gear I21 to the main shaft I I8 to drive a cam shaft I32 by means of a gear I33 secured to said cam shaft and meshing with the gear I21. The

cam shaft I32 carries a number of cams used to control the operation of various electrical and mechanical parts to be described hereinafter. When moved to the left in Fig. 2, the clutch sleeve I3I couples the gear I28 to the main shaft II8 to operate the projection mechanism.

Projector operating mechanism The mechanism for coupling the driving gears,

55 of the magazines to the gear I28 is mounted upon a swingable frame I34, best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. Said frame is freely mounted on a shaft I35 which is in turn journaled in suitable bearings on the casing 24. The frame is normally urged to the right in Fig. 3 by means of a tension spring I36 secured thereto and anchored to a pin I 31 carried by the casing 24. Movement in r the opposite direction is limited by an adjusting gage the gear 55 of whichever magazine is in projecting position. This may occur when the frame I34 is moved by the cam I4I to the position shown in Fig. 3 and is held by said cam against the stop I38. When the cam I4I has been moved to the position permitting the spring I36 to move the frame I34 to the right, the gear I43 is withdrawn from engagement with the gear 55 and is likewise withdrawn from the path of movement of the magazines 34.

The frame I34 carries a pair of bearing brackets I 44 in which there is journaled a shaft I45 having secured thereto a pinion I46 and a shutter I 41. The shutter I41 is of the usual form used with motion picture apparatus and is positioned to cut off the light passing through the aperture SI of the magazine at periodic intervals deter mined by its speed of rotation. The shutter is driven by means of a pinion I48 secured to the shaft I35 and meshing with the pinion I46. The shaft I35 also carries a sprocket about which there is trained a sprocket chain I49 which is likewise trained about a sprocket I50 carried upon the stub shaft I42.

The frame I34 also has journaled thereon a sprocket I 51 adapted to project into the aperture 63 of the magazine when the frame I34 is swung to the operating position of Fig. 3. Said sprocket is adapted to engage the usual sprocket openings mittent motion thereto while the shutter I 41 is rotated in timed relation to the operation of the geneva movement I 53 to cut the optical light path during each intermittent movement of the film.

Magazine clutch-operating mechanism The clutch collar I24 which controls the movement of the magazine carriage is operated by a yoke I54 which is secured to a rod I55 in turn slidably supported o the bearing members I20 and I2 I. The rod I55 has one end projecting into a solenoid SI and serves as a plunger which may be moved to the right in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 by actuation of said solenoid. The rod I55 has slidably mounted thereon a collar I56 against which the yoke member I54 is normallypressed by a compression spring I51 abutting against the yoke member'and against th'ebearing member I20. A pin I58 projects downwardly from the collar I56 and engages one arm of a lever I59, the shape of which is best seen in Fig. '7. Said lever has an upturned arm I60 which embraces a slidable rod I6I mounted in the casing .24 and extending through the opposite sides thereof. Rotation of said rod is prevented by a key I6Ia engaging a suitable keyway in the frame 24. Said rod carries collars I62 and compression springs I63 and I64 interposed between said collars and the arm I60. The lever I59 also has an upturned arm I65 adapted to engage a pin I 66' on the underside of the rod NH. The lever I59 is pivotally mounted at I61 and the movement thereof about its pivot point is limited by stop pins I68 and I69. The magazine carriage carries downwardly projecting arms I10 and HI adapted to engage the opposite ends of the rod I6I in the movement of the carriage. The rod I55 carries at its outer end an arm I12 adapted to engage a notch I13 in a disc I14 secured to the stub shaft I26 (Figs. 2 and 9).

In the operation of the apparatus just described the parts are normally in the position shown in Fig. 7 in which the rod I55-is held against the action of spring I51 by the engagement of the arm I65 with the pin I66. In this position the clutch collar I24 is centrally located between the gears I22 and I23 and the arm I12 is in engagement with the notch I13 to prevent movement of the magazine carriage.

With the parts in this position, movement of the magazine carriage to the right may be started by a momentaryactuation of the solenoid SI which draws the bar I55 and the yoke I54 to the right to engage the clutch I24 with gear I23 and which withdraws the arm I12 from the notch I13. This movement of the carriage normally continues for at least one revolution of the stub shaft I26, during which the arm I12 engages the inner face of the disc I14 and thus maintains the clutch engagement even though solenoid SI may be deenergized. One revolution of the stub shaft I26 corresponds to a movement of the magazine carriage equal to the spacing between adjacent gears 55 and thus brings the next successive magazine to operating position. If at the end of one revolution solenoid SI is not energized, the arm I12 may reenter the notch I13 and in so doing permits the spring I51 to return the clutch collar I24 to the neutral position. If, however, the solenoid SI is energized at the end of one revolution of the shaft I26, it overcomes the force of spring I51 and permits the movement of the magazine to continue for at least one more revolution of the shaft I26.

moves the collar I56 to the left. Preferably, thisoccurs just before the notch I13 reaches the arm I12, whereupon the spring I51 may move the rod I55 to the left bringing the yoke I54 against the collar I56 in its new position and passing the arm I12 completely through the notch I13. This movement of the yoke I54 engages the clutch collar I24 with the gear I22 and starts the return movement of the magazine carriage to the left.

During the return movement of the carriage, the pressure on the rod I8I is first released, permitting the pin I66 to return to the path of movement of the arm I65. However, said pin is now on the opposite side of the arm I65 and thus restrains movement of the lever I59 in the counterclockwise rather than the clockwise direc tion. Normally during the return movement, the solenoid SI is not energized so that return movement is made without interruption until the arm I1I strikes the opposite end of the rod I6 I When this occurs, the rod is pressed to the left sufficiently for the pin I66 to clear the arm I65 while spring I64 is compressed to urge the lever I59 in the counterclockwise direction. Preferably, pin I66 clears the arm I65 just as the notch I13 reaches the arm I12. When this occurs, the pressure on the spring I64 is sufl'icient to rock the lever I 59, to move the collar I58 and to compress the spring I51. This movement is stopped by the stop pin I68 with the clutch collar I24 in the neutral position and with the arm I12 in the notch I13 preventing further movement of the magazine carriage. If, however, the solenoid SI is energized at this time, it may draw the bar I55 to the right and thus .commence movement of the carriage to the right, as previously described.

Briefly summarizing the operation of the magazine carriage, movement to the right may be started by a momentary actuation of the solenoid SI and may be stopped with any one of the magazines in projecting position if said solenoid is not energized when the particular magazine reaches that position. When the complete travel to the right has been accomplished, the clutch yoke I24 is automatically operated to reverse the direction of movement and to complete the left hand movement uninterruptedly. At the end of the reverse movement, the parts are automatically reset to provide for another forward movement if or when solenoid SI is again engaged.

Control mechanism for cam shaft and projector clutch Control of the clutch sleeve I3I for operating the projection mechanism and cam shaft I32 is.

and S3 (Figs. 2, 7 and 9).

and slot connection I16 with the forked end of f a lever I11 which is pivotally mounted at I18.

The opposite end of said lever is provided with a fork I19 engaging the sleeve I3I (Fig. 8). The

lever I11 has a projection I88 carrying a pin I8I operating in a V-shaped opening I82 (Figs. 7 and 13) in a lever I83. The lever. I83 is pivoted at I84 and urged in the clockwise direction by a tension spring I85 anchored to a stationary pin I86. A cam I81 mounted on a slidable rod I88 engages a recess I8'Ia in the side of the lever I83 as best seen in Fig. '7. The rod I88 is guided in a bearing I89 and has its opposite end connected to a lever I98 secured on a short shaft I9I. The shaft I 9| also has secured thereto a lever I92 connected by a link I93 with the clutch yoke I54.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. '7, it is assumed that the solenoid S2 has been actuated and has moved lever IT! to engage the sleeve I3I with the clutch face of gear I21 to turn the cam shaft I32. In this position the pin I8I rests in the opening I82 in the position shown in Fig. '7 and indicated by broken lines I8Ia in Fig. 13. The force of spring I 85 exerted thereon thus holds clutch sleeve I3I in engagement with gear I21 even though solenoid S2 may be deenergized. If solenoid S3 is now energized, its force is surficient to overcome the tension of spring I85 and to move the sleeve I3I into engagement with the clutch face of gear I 28. In this movement the pin I8I is moved from one leg to the other of the V-shaped opening I82 and is held by the spring I85 in its new position indicated by broken lines I8Ib in Fig. 13. Thus either solenoid when momentarily actuated, may move the clutch sleeve I3I to engage one of the gears I21 or I28 and in either position the sleeve is held in place by spring I85.

As long as the clutch collar I24 is in neutral position the cam I81 is in the recess I81a' and the movements of sleeve I 3I just described may take place. However, when the collar I24 is moved in either direction from its neutral position the cam I81 is moved to the right or left and operates upon the faces of the recess I81a to move lever I83 in a counterclockwise direction against the tension of spring I85. In this movement, the pin I8I is drawn to the point of the V- shaped-opening I82 as shown at I8Ic in Fig. 13 and the sleeve I3I is moved thereby to a neutral position between the clutch faces of gears I21 and I28. The neutral position of sleeve I3I is maintained until collar I24 is restored to its neutral position. When this occurs, cam I81 is restored to recess IBM and spring I 85 is free to move lever I83. In this movement of the lever, the pin I8I is struck by the portion I82a of the wall of opening I82. This portion is shaped as shown in Fig. 13 to move the pin I8I to the position I8Ia and thus to move clutch sleeve I3I into engagement with gear I21.

Briefly summarizing the operation of clutch sleeve I 3I, it may be moved to operate the cam shaft by a momentary actuation of solenoid S2 and may be moved to operate the projector parts by a momentary actuation of solenoid S3. It is moved to a neutral position and locked in that position each time the clutch collar I24 is moved to operate the magazine carriage. Thus neither the cam shaft nor the projector parts may be operated while the magazine carriage is in motion. When the movement of the magazine carriage is stopped, sleeve I3I is automatically moved to connect the cam shaft I32 to the main shaft II8.

Pre-selector mechanism The selector unit for preselecting the film to be shown is particularly illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. It includes a switch box I94 containing a number of electrical switches operated by push buttons I95a, I95b, I950, I95d and I95e. Said push buttons are accessible to the operator at the front of the machine and extend through the switch box I94, as shown in Fig. 10. The switches operated by the push buttons are described in more detail in connection with the wiring diagram, Fig. 9. On the rear face of the switch box I94, there is mounted a ring I 96 of insulation material carrying contact points I91a, I911), I91c, I 91d and I91e. Said contact points are connected to the switches within the box I94 and are engageable by a leaf spring contact finger I98 which is mounted on an arm I99 and suitably insulated therefrom. The arm I 99 is secured to a shaft 200 which, as best seen in Fig. 1, is downwardly inclined and enters the housing 24. Within the housing 24 the lower end of the shaft 200 rests in a bearing 2 which is formed on a bridge 202 spanning the bearing members I20 and I2I. The said bearing and bridge are shown in Fig. 2 but the shaft 200 is omitted for the sake of clearness. The shaft 200 is longitudinally slidable in its bearings and is held downwardly against its seat in the bearing 20I by a compression spring 203 (Fig. 10) which bears against the switch box I94 and against the arm I 99. Referring now to Fig. 4, the shaft 200 carries a gear 204, the lower face of which is engageable by a cam 205 mounted on the cam shaft I32. At a predetermined point in the cycle of operation the cam 205 strikes the gear 204 and raises the shaft 200 to press the arm I 99 against one of the projecting push buttons, as for example, the push button I95e shown in Fig. 10.

Referring again to Fig. 4, the gear 204 meshes with a spline 206 formed on a shaft 201 mounted in a bearing 208 formed on the bridge 202. The lower end of the shaft 201 carries a bevel gear bracket 2I1 by means of a 209 which meshes with the bevel gears I22 and I23. By means of the construction just described, the shaft 200 is rotated as the magazine carriage is moved. The proportion of the parts is such that whenever one of the magazines is in the projecting position, the contact finger I98 is in engagement with the contact point I91 which corresponds to that magazine and at the same time, the arm I99 is in register with the push button I95 corresponding to the same magazine. Thus the operation of the cam 205 serves to restore to normal position the push button corresponding to the particular magazine which is located at that instant in the projecting position. Manual means for restoring the push buttons are also provided but form no part of the invention and are not shown in the drawings.

Electric switches The several electric switches shown in Fig. 9 and their operating mechanism will be described before tracing the electrical circuits connecting the same.

A switch PI is normally open and is momentarily closed by the operation of the coin receiver 32 in a well known manner each time a coin or other token is inserted.

A switch P2 is operated by a cam 2I0 on the cam shaft I32. Said switch is open in the position assumed by said shaft when the machine is idle (as shown in Fig. 9), but is closed by its cam 2| 0 during other parts of the operating cycle.

A switch P3 is operated by a cam 2II on the cam shaft I32 and is closed thereby during a predetermined'portion of each rotation of the cam shaft.

A switch P4 is closed momentarily and immediately reopened once in each revolution of the cam shaft I32. The operation of the switch is initiated by the action of a cam 2I2 on said shaft, but the completion of the closing and reopening of the switch is independent of further movement of the cam and cam shaft. The mechanism by which this operation is accomplished is shown in detail in Fig. 12. The cam 2I2 is provided with a relatively sharp projection 2I4 and with an outwardly extending portion 2I5 arranged in a different plane. A dog 2I6 of insulation material is mounted on a stationary pin 2I8 operating in a slotted opening 2I9. The upper end of the dog is provided with a nose 220 and a projecting ear 22I. The nose 220 is located in the plane of the projection 2I4 while the ear 22I is located in the plane of the portion 2I5 of the cam. The dog 2I6 is urged downwardly by a spring 222 which is offset as shown in Fig. 12 to hold the nose 220 against the cam. The dog is provided with a projection 223 adapted to strike a curved portion or hump 224 on one of the leaves of the switch P4. The switch P4 normally stands in the open position.

In the rotation of the cam shaft I32 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12, the projection 2I4 first strikes the nose 220 and lifts the dog 2I6. In this movement, the nose of the dog is held against the cam by the spring 222 and the projection 223 may pass the hump 224 without striking the same. In the further rotation of the cam shaft I32 the portion 2I5 of the cam comes into position beneath the ear 22I. When the rotation has progressed sufiiciently for the projection 2I4 to pass from beneath the nose 220, the dog 2I6 is pulled downwardly by spring 222, the ear 22I strikes the cam portion 2I5 and the dog is pressed outwardly thereby to engage the projection 223 with the hump 22 in passing. The downward movement of the dog 2I6 thus momentarily closes the switch P4 while the upward movement of the dog has no effect upon the switch. The closing of the switch is initiated when projection 2I4 on the cam leaves the nose 220 but the closing and immediate reopening are accomplished by the action of the spring 222.

A switch P5 is similarly operated by similar mechanism, the action of which is initiated by a cam 225 on the shaft I32.

A switch P6 is operated by a projection carried by the lever I11 and shown only in Fig. 9. Said switch is closed only when said lever isheld in position to engage the sleeve I3I with gear I28 to operate the projection mechanism.

A switch P1 is operated by a projection carried by the arm I12. Said switch is normally closed but is opened by Said arm when clutch sleeve I24 has been moved to the left to engage gear I22 for return movement of the magazine carriage.

A switch P8 is operated by a pin 226 carried by V the disc I14 and is closed only when said disc is properly positionedfor the arm I12 to enter the slot I13 therein.

A switch P9 (Fig. 3 and Fig. 9) is suitably mounted within the casing 24 and is operated by a pin 221 carried by a bell crank lever 228. Said lever is pivotally mounted at 229 and carries a roller 230 adapted to project into an aperture 23I in the film magazine (Fig. 5) and to engage the film as it passes said aperture. The pressure plate 64 within the magazine is provided with a central recess 232 immediately behind said aperture. The lever 228 is urged downwardly by a spring 233 to hold the roller against the film and may be moved upwardly to retract the roller from the magazine by operation of a projection 234 on the pivoted frame I34. During the showing of the-film the roller is held in engagement with the film and the switch P9 is in the open position. Near the end of the subject matter constituting a complete showing of the film there is provided a suitable aperture in the film itself. When this aperture reaches the roller 230 said roller may enter the recess 232 and the consequent movement of lever 228 permits switch P9 to 'be closed.- Said switch is immediately reopened when said aperture has passed. Thus the switch P9 is momentarily closed at the end of each showing of a film and is then reopened.

A master switch PI!) is operated by a well known ratchet form of counting device contained in a switch box 235. The details-of said device need not be described in detail. It is sufficient to state that the switch PIO normally remains open until a solenoid S4 is actuated one or more times. Upon actuation of said solenoid the ratchet mechanism closes switch P I0 and maintains the same in closed position until a lever 236 has been operated as many times as the solenoid has been actuated. The lever 236 is connected by a link 231 with the pivoted frame I34 (Fig. 3) and is thus operated each time a. film is shown.

Each of the selector push buttons I a, etc., has associated therewith a pair of switches PI Ia and PI2a, etc., the first of which is normally closed and the second is normally open. When one of said buttons is pressed, its switch PII is opened and its switch PI2 is closed. Said switches remain in the latter positions until their push button is restored to normal position.

Power supply Electric power for operation of the apparatus is supplied from a suitable source on power 'mains I of said transformer supply power at a suitable lower voltage to conductors 240 and 24I for operating certain of the control circuits. The remainder of the wiring can best be described in connection with the operating cycle of the apparatus. In tracing the several circuits, conductors are referred to by reference number only.

Cycle of operations In the idle condition of the apparatus no circults are complete except the primary circuit of transformer T and a circuit for'a pilot light 243 which is connected across the mains 238 and 239 and which indicates that the apparatus is in condition for operation. The clutch sleeve I3I is engaged with the gear I21 for operation of the cam shaft I32 and the clutch sleeve I24 is in neutral position. The cam MI is in position to permit the pivoted frame I34 to be withdrawn by spring I36 to disengage the projection apparatus. The several electric switches are open or closed as indicated in Fig. 9. With the parts in this condition, the operator may press one or more of the selector push buttons or may refrain from making a selection if he so desires. In either case the receipt of a coin and operation of the coin receiver 32 then momentarily closes switch PI and completes a circuit for solenoid S4 (T, 240, PI, 244, S4, 24I, T). The momentary actuation of solenoid S4 causes the closing .of the master switch PIO which connects the power main 238 with a distributory conductor 245, branches of which lead to the motor 25 and amplifier 30 whose opposite terminals are connected to the power main 239. The motor 25 is thus started and the amplifier and speaker are placed in condition for operation. Since clutch sleeve I3I is in engagement with gear I21, the operation of the motor 25 starts the rotation of the cam shaft I32 and immediately closes switch P2. The latter switch is connected in parallel with the master switch PII] and thus retains the circuit for the motor and amplifier until the cam shaft has made one com- I plete revolution even though the master switch may be opened before said revolution is complete.

Substantially simultaneously with the closing of switch P2, cam 2I2 releases the dog 2I6 to close switch P4 momentarily, completing a circuit for solenoid SI (T, 240, P4, 246, SI, 24I, T). The momentary actuation of solenoid SI shifts clutch collar I 24 into engagement with gear I23 to start the forward movement of the magazine carrier and also throws sleeve I3I to the neutral position to stop the cam shaft as previously described. At the same time, switch P3 is closed with no immediate effect and remains closed during the time that the cam shaft is stopped.

Assuming that the last selection shown corresponded with the push button I95b and that push button I95d has been pressed to select its corresponding film for thenext showing, then the contact finger I98 is in engagement with contact button I91b, switch .PIId is open and switch Pl2d is closed. During the time that shaft I26 makes a complete revolution to move the next magazine into projecting position, the finger I98 moves from the button H311) to the button I910. When this revolution is finished, a circuit for solenoid SI is completed (T, 240, P3, 241, P8, 248, P1, 249, PIZd, 250, PIIc, I98, 25I, SI, 24I, T). The resulting actuation of solenoid SI prevents the arm I12 from entering the notch I13 to stop the magazine carriage movement. Said move ment therefore continues for another complete revolution of shaft I26 during which the selected magazine is brought to projecting position and contact finger I98 reaches the button I91d. Since switch PI Id is open no circuit is completed for solenoid SI and the arm I12 may then enter the notch I13 and permit the clutch collar I24 to move to the neutral position, stopping the magazine carriage with the selected magazine in projecting position. By this means the carriage movement is carried past any magazine whose push button has not been pressed and whose switch PH is therefore closed and is stopped when a magazine is reached whose push button has been pressed and whose switch PH is open.

Assuming that the magazine corresponding to push button I95a has been selected, the forward movement of the carriage continuesfor one step beyond the position of the magazine corresponding to the last push button I95e whereupon collar I24 is mechanically shifted to engage gear I22 as previously described and the reverse movement of the carriage is begun. During the reverse movement switch P1 is open so that solenoid SI cannot be energized and cannot interfere with the return movement. At the completion of the return movement, arm I12 again enters the notch I13 with contact finger I98 in engagement with button I91a. Since switch PIIa is open, the movement of the carriage is stopped.

Assuming that no selection has been made, all of the PI2 switches are open and no circuit for solenoid SI can be completed. The magazine carriage is then moved one step only to bring the next magazine into projecting position.

When the magazine carriage has been stopped with the proper magazine in position and clutch collar I24 has returned to the neutral position, the clutch sleeve I3I is mechanicallymoved to reengage gear I21 as previously described. The rotation of cam shaft I32 is then resumed. During this movement switch P3 is opened, after which the cam 205 may operate to restore the selected push button to normal position without completing any circuit for solenoid SI. During the same movement, cam I4I operates to swing the frame I34 into the position shown in Fig. 3 in which position gear I43 engages the gear 55 of the selected magazine, intermittent sprocket I5I engages the film and roller 230 also engages the film. The movement of the frame I34 also operates link 231 to check one play on the ratchet mechanism associated with the master switch PIG. If no further selections have been paid for the master switch is opened but the operation continues since switch P2 is closed.

At the end of this cam operation cam 225 operates its associated dog to close momentarily the switch P5 and complete a circuit for solenoid s3 (T, 240, P5, 252, sa, 241, T). The operation of said solenoid throws sleeve I3I into engagement with gear I28 and starts the operation of the projection mechanism. At the same time switch P6 is closed to connect the projecting lamp I08 and exciter lamp II3 between the distributory conductor 245 and the power main 239 and thus to illuminate said lamps.

When the showing of the film is completed, the roller 230 engages a suitable opening in the film and is momentarily moved to close switch P9 completing a circuit for solenoid S2 (T, 240, P9, 253, S2, 24I, T). The action of solenoid S2 stops the operation of the projection mechanism, extinguishes the lamps I08 and H3 by opening switch P6 and reengages the sleeve I3I with gear I21 to resume the movement of the cam shaft I32.

During the resulting movement of the cam shaft, cam I4I operates to permit withdrawal of the frame I34 to the right in Fig. 3 and thus disengages gears I43 and 55 and disengages the sprocket I5I and roller 230 from the film, leaving the magazine clear formovement of the carriage. When a total cam shaft movement of one complete revolution has been made, switch P2 is opened. If no further selections have been paid for, the master switch PI!) is also open and the motor and amplifier circuits are broken, stopping the apparatus in its original idle position. If payment for another selection has been made, the master switch PIU is closed and the opening of switch P2 has no effect. Another complete cycle of operations then takes place immediately.

The foregoing specification describes the invention in one of its preferred forms. The details thereof may be varied without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the apparatus is equally applicable to the production of silent pictures and to sound effects without pictures.

In the claims the term sensible impression is intended to include either sound or visible images or both, and a projection apparatus is intended to include a device adapted to produce either or both effects from a record carried by a film.

The invention claimed is:

1.- Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each provided witha light gate in a wall thereof past which said film may be moved, film engaging members within each magazine adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and return the same to said roll, a magazine carriage upon which said magazines are mounted, carriage operating means adapted to move said carriage and to stop the same with the gate of one of said magazines in the path of said beam of light from said source, and means for actuating the film engaging members of the magazine so placed.

2. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating I 3. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated vby a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each provided with a light gate in a wall thereof past which said film may be moved, film engaging members within eachmagazine adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and return the same to said roll, a magazine carriage upon which said magazines, are mounted, carriage operating means adapted to move said carriage andto stop the same withthe gate of one of said magazines in the path of said beam of light from said source, means for actuating the film engaging members of the magazine solplaced, a member adapted to impart intermittent movement to the portion of said film passing said gate, and means for moving said member into said magazine to engage said film and for retracting the same therefrom to permit movement of the magazine.

4. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each provided with a light gate in a wall thereof past which said film may be moved, film moving means carried by each magazine and adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and rewind the same on said roll, a magazine carriage upon which said magazines are mounted, carriage operating means adapted to move said carriage and to stop the same with the gate of one of said magazines in the path of said beam of light from said source, a movable member, actuating means for said film moving means carried by said member, an intermittently driven element adapted to impart intermittent movement to the portion of said film passing said gate, said element being carried by said movable member, and means for moving said movable member to engage said actuating means with the film moving means of the magazine so placed and to engage said intermittently driven element with the film therein.

5. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each provided with a light gate in a wall thereof past which said film may be moved, film engaging members withi each magazine adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and return the same to said roll, a magazine carriage upon which said magazines are mounted, a manually controlled selector device, power driven carriage operating means for moving said carriage said means being controlled by said selector device to stop said carriage with the gate of a selected magazine in the path of the beam of light, and means for actuating the film engaging members of the selected magazine;

6. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each provided with a light gate in a wall thereof past which said film may be moved, film moving means carried by each magazine and adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and rewind the same on said roll, a magazine carriage upon which said magazines are mounted, a manually controlled selector device, power driven carriage operating means for moving said carriage said power driven means being controlled by said selector device to stop said carriage with the gate of a selected magazine in the path of the beam of light, a movable member; actuating means for said film moving means carried by said member, and means for moving said member to engage said actuating means with the film moving means of the selected magazine and to disengage the same to permit movement of the magazine carriage.

7. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a movable magazine carriage, a plurality of magazines removably mounted thereon, each of said magazines containing an endless roll of film and each having a light gate through which said beam of light may pass when said carriage is properly positioned, film moving means carried by each magazine and adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and rewind the same on said roll, a movable member, actuating means for said film moving means carried by said member, a trigger engaging said film and actuatable thereby at a predetermined point in the movement of saidfilm, and mechanism actuated by actuation of said trigger for moving said movable member to disengage said actuating means from said film moving means.

8. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing I sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a movable magazine carriage, a plurality of magazines removably mounted thereon, each of said magazines containing an endless roll of film and each having a light gate through which said beamof light may pass when said carriage is properly positioned, film moving means carried by each magazine and adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and rewind the same on said roll, a movable member, actuating means for said film moving means carried by said member, an intermittently driven element adapted to impart intermittent movement to the portion of said film passing said gate, said element being carried by said movable member, a trigger engaging said film and actuatable thereby at a predetermined point in the movement of said film, and mechanism actuated by actuation of said trigger for moving said movable member to disengage said actuating means from said film moving means and to disengage said intermittently driven element from said film.

9. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a light source and a translating device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a movable magazine carriage, a plurality of magazines removably mounted thereon, each of said magazines containing an endless roll of film and each having a light gate through which Said beam of light may pass when said carriage is properly positioned, film moving means carried by each magazine and adapted when actuated to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and rewind the same on said roll,'a movable member, actuating means for said film moving means carried by said member, a trigger engaging said film and actuatable thereby at a predetermined point in the movement of said film, mechanism actuated by actuation of said trigger for moving said movable member to dis engage said actuating means from said film moving'means, and means operated by movement of said movable member for disengaging said trigger from said film.

10. Magazine manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus, said mechanism including a plurality of film magazines, a carriage on which said magazines are mounted, said carriage being movable to place each of said magazines in a projection position, a power source, power transmission means including a clutch engageable to connect said power source to move said carriage, a member movable with said carriage, a stop member engageable therewith and movable with movement of said clutch, said members being engageable to prevent movement of the carriage when each of said magazines is in the projection position and being engaged at other times to maintain said clutch in carriage moving engagement, and means for initially moving said stop member and clutch to inltiate a movement of the carriage.

11. Magazine manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus, said mechanism including a plurality of film magazines, a carriage on which said magazines are mounted, said carriage being movable to place each of .said magazines in a projection position, a power source, power transmission means including a clutch engageable to connect said power source to move said carriage, a member movable with saidcarriage, a clutch retaining member engageable therewith when none of said magazines is in projection position and adapted when so engaged to retain said clutch in carriage moving engagement, and means for intially moving said clutch to initiate a movement of the carriage.

12. Magazine manipulating mechanism for an automatic 'multi-film projecting apparatus, said mechanism including a plurality of film magazines, a carriage on which said magazines are mounted, said carriage being movable to place each of said magazines in a projection position, a power source, power transmission means including a clutch engageable to connect said power source to move said carriage, a member movable with said carriagaa clutch retaining member engageable therewith when none of said magazines is in projection position and adapted when so engaged to retain said clutch in carriage moving engagement, said clutch retaining member being released by said movable member to permit disengagement of the clutch as each of said magazines reaches the projection position, and other means for retaining said clutch in carriage moving engagement when any but a selected magazine reaches the projection position.

13. Magazine manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus, said mechanism including a plurality of film magazines, a reciprocable carriage on which said magazines are mounted, said carriage being movable to place each of said magazines in a projection position, a power source, power transmission means connecting said power source to move said carriage, said transmission means including clutch members engageable for forward and reverse movement of the carriage and having a neutral position in which carriage movement is stopped, a clutch operating member, a yielding member engaging said operating member and urging the same in the direction to engage said clutch members for reverse carriage movement, a stop member engaging said operating member and normally holding the same in the neutral position against the action of said yielding member, means for initially moving said operating member in oppositon to said yielding means to engage said clutch members for forward carriage movement and for thereafter retaining said clutch members so engaged during forward carriage movement, and reversing mechanism operated by movement of the carriage at the end of forward movement to move said stop member to a position permitting the action 01 said yielding means to engage said clutch members for reverse carriage movement and operated at the end of said reverse movement to return said stop member to normal position.

14. Magazine manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus, said mechanism including a plurality of film magazines, a carriage on which said magazines are mounted, said carriage being movable to place each of said magazines in a projection position, a power source, power transmission means including a clutch engageable to connect said power source to move said carriage, film moving means adapted when actuated to move the film in the magazine at the projection station for reproductlon of sensible impressions recorded thereon, actuating means engageable with said film moving means to actuate the same and disengageable therefrom to permit movement of the magazine carriage, a cam shaft, cam means associated with said cam shaft and adapted to control the engagement and disengagement of said actuating means with said film moving means, power transmission means including a second clutch engageable to connect said power source to operate said cam shaft, a mechanical interlock between said clutches by means of which said second clutch is disengaged when said first clutch is engaged. and means automatically reengaging said second clutch when said first clutch is disengaged.

15. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projection apparatus having a light source and a reproducing device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproadapted to move said film past said light gate wholly within said magazine unit, carriage operating means adapted tomove saidcarriage to.

place the light gate of any one of said magazine units in the path of said beam of light from said lig t source, and means for actuating the film clr ving means of the magazine unit-so placed.

16. Film manipulating mechanism for an auto- I matic multi-film projection apparatus having a light source and a reproducing device actuated by a beam of light from saidsource for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on afilm intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a magazine carriage, a plurality of self-contained film magazine units detachably mounted on said carriage, each of said units being provided with means for storing a film therein, a light gate and film driving means adapted to move said film past said light gate wholly within said magazine unit, carriage operating means adapted'to move said carriage to place the light gate of any one of said magazine units in the path of said beam of light from said light source, a movable member, actuating means for said film driving means carried by said mem ber, and means for moving said member to engage said actuating means with the film driving means of the magazine unit so placed and to disengage the same to permit movement of the magazine.

17. Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projection apparatus having a light source and. a reproducing device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible'impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a magazine carriage, a plurality of self-contained film magazine units detachably mounted on said carriage, each of said units being provided with; means for storing a film therein, a light gate and film driving means past said light gate to stop said carriage with the light gate of a selected magazine in the path of the beam of light, and means for actuating the film driving means of the magazineunit so placed.

18'. Film manipulating mecha ismifor an automatic multi-film projection ap aratus having a light source and a reproducin device actuated by a beam of light from said source for reproducing sensible impressions recorded on a film intercepting said beam, said film manipulating mechanism including a magazinev carriage, a plurality of self-contained film magazine units detachably mounted on said carriage, each 0t said units being provided with means for storing a film therein, a light gate and't'film driving means adapted to move said past said light gate wholly within said magazine unit, carriage operating means adapted to move said carriage to place the light gate of any one of said magazine thereby at. a predetermined point in themove-' mentor said film, and mechanism actuated by actuation of said trigger for moving said movable member to disengage said actuating means from said film moving means.

PAUL U.

operatingmeans for moving said carriage, said means being controlled by said selector device '7 'Dl-scpA l MERM...

2,214,468.-Paul U. Lennard, North Tonawanda, N. Y. PROJECTION DEVICE. Patent dated September 10, 1940. Disclaimer filed May 30, 1942, by the assignee, The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. Hereb enters its disclaimer to that part of the claims in said specification which is in the fell in excess of:

Film manipulating mechanism for an automatic multi-film projecting apparatus having a single reproducing device common to all of the film magazines, and a single means common .to all of the film magazines selectively operable to actuate the film engaging and driving members of a selected and placed magazine.

[ofiml GazetteJune so, 1942.

owing words, to wit: So much of claims 1, 5, 15 and 17 of said patent as is DISCLAIMER 2,214,468.-Paul U. Lannerd, North Tonawanda, N. Y. PROJECTION DEVICE. Patent dated September 10, 1940. Disclaimer filed July 3, 1943, by the inventor. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 5, 15, and 17 of said patent.

[Ofcial Gazette July 20, 1943.] 

